Career and Education Opportunities for Computer Security Specialists in Kentucky

Kentucky has a population of 4,314,113, which has grown by 6.74% over the past decade. Nicknamed the "Bluegrass State," its capital is Frankfort, though its most populous city is Lexington-Fayette.

The national trend for computer security specialists sees this job pool growing by about 23.2% over the next eight years. Computer security specialists generally plan, coordinate, and implement security measures for information systems to regulate access to computer data files and prevent unauthorized modification, destruction, or disclosure of information.

Computer security specialists earn approximately $23 hourly or $48,340 per year on average in Kentucky. Nationally they average about $31 hourly or $66,310 yearly. Compared with people working in the overall category of Computer, people working as computer security specialists in Kentucky earn less. They earn less than people working in the overall category of Computer nationally. Jobs in this field include: information technology analyst , computer security information specialist, and computer systems technician.

In 2008, there were a total of 2,442,252 jobs in Kentucky. The average annual income was $31,936 in 2008, up from $31,060 in 2007. The unemployment rate in Kentucky was 10.5% in 2009, which has grown by 3.9% since the previous year. Approximately 17.1% of Kentucky residents have college degrees, which is lower than the national average.

The top industries in Kentucky include tobacco product merchant wholesalers, alumina production, and couriers.

Every day, computer security specialists are expected to be able to listen to and understand others in meetings. They need to read and understand documents and reports. It is also important that they articulate ideas and problems.

Similar jobs with educational opportunities in Kentucky include:

Applications Programmer. Develop, create, and modify general computer applications software or specialized utility programs. Analyze user needs and develop software solutions. Design software or customize software for client use with the aim of optimizing operational efficiency. May analyze and design databases within an application area, working individually or coordinating database development as part of a team.

Computer Programmer. Convert project specifications and statements of problems and procedures to detailed logical flow charts for coding into computer language. Develop and write computer programs to store, locate, and retrieve specific documents, data, and information. May program web sites.

Computer Scientist. Conduct research into fundamental computer and information science as theorists, designers, or inventors. Solve or develop solutions to problems in the field of computer hardware and software.

Computer Support Specialist. Provide technical assistance to computer system users. Answer questions or resolve computer problems for clients in person, via telephone or from remote location. May provide assistance concerning the use of computer hardware and software, including printing, and operating systems.

Network Systems and Data Communications Analyst. Analyze, design, and evaluate network systems, such as local area networks (LAN), wide area networks (WAN), Internet, intranet, and other data communications systems. Perform network modeling, analysis, and planning. Research and recommend network and data communications hardware and software. Includes telecommunications specialists who deal with the interfacing of computer and communications equipment. May supervise computer programmers.

Network and Computer Systems Administrator. Install, configure, and support an organization's local area network (LAN), wide area network (WAN), and Internet system or a segment of a network system. Maintain network hardware and software. Monitor network to ensure network availability to all system users and perform necessary maintenance to support network availability. May supervise other network support and client server specialists and plan, coordinate, and implement network security measures.

LOCATION INFORMATION: Kentucky

Kentucky photo by Richard Hurt

Kentucky has a population of 4,314,113, which has grown by 6.74% over the past 10 years. Nicknamed the "Bluegrass State," its capital is Frankfort, though its biggest city is Lexington-Fayette. In 2008, there were a total of 2,442,252 jobs in Kentucky. The average annual income was $31,936 in 2008, up from $31,060 in 2007. The unemployment rate in Kentucky was 10.5% in 2009, which has grown by 3.9% since the previous year. About 17.1% of Kentucky residents have college degrees, which is lower than the national average.

The top industries in Kentucky include tobacco product merchant wholesalers, alumina production, and couriers.